News Release

New Brunswick, N.J. – “Doing good never tasted so great!” That’s the message from Panera Bread® bakery-cafés in an effort to highlight breast cancer awareness in area communities during the month of October. The annual campaign features the local sale of the Pink Ribbon Bagel -- proceeds from which will benefit Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is one of the many breast cancer-related entities nationwide that will receive contributions from the sale of Panera’s Pink Ribbon Bagel – which features cherry chips and real bits of Bing cherries and cranberries and is shaped in the form of a traditional breast cancer awareness ribbon. For every Pink Ribbon Bagel sold in the 42 Panera Bread locations in northern and central New Jersey (www.panerabread.com), ten cents will support breast cancer research and patient education programs at the Cancer Institute.

“As New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, it is part of our overall mission to identify new breast cancer treatments, as well as to develop educational opportunities relating to breast cancer prevention. Panera’s dedication to this cause helps Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey achieve these goals, and we are grateful for their continued support,” noted Cancer Institute Chief Medical Officer Deborah Toppmeyer, MD, director of both the Institute’s Stacy Goldstein Breast Cancer Center and the LIFE Center, and associate professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

“The Pink Ribbon Bagel has been a customer favorite for over a decade, in part because it’s a tasty way to add flavor to the day and because each bagel sold helps support the fight against an illness that touches so many,” said Panera Regional Vice President Robert MacEachern. “Panera Bread is proud to work with the communities we serve to help raise money for this worthy cause. In our market, we are pleased to support the cutting-edge research and programs of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.”

The Panera Pink Ribbon Bagel was developed in 2001 as a way to support breast cancer awareness.

About Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (www.cinj.org) is the state’s first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. As part of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey is dedicated to improving the detection, treatment and care of patients with cancer, and to serving as an education resource for cancer prevention. Physician-scientists at the Cancer Institute engage in translational research, transforming their laboratory discoveries into clinical practice, quite literally bringing research to life. To make a tax-deductible gift to support the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, call 732-235-8614 or visit www.cinj.org/giving. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheCINJ.

About Panera Bread
Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,708 bakery-cafes as of June 25, 2013, under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.®, and Paradise Bakery & Café® names. We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting, and comfortable environment. With our identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by antibiotic-free chicken, whole grain bread, and select organic and all-natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial trans fat per serving, which provide flavorful, wholesome offerings. Our menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. In neighborhoods across the United States and in Ontario, Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor, and free Internet access. Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. Additional information is available on our website, http://www.panerabread.com.